China Adjusts Civil Aviation Routes Near Taiwan Strait, Sparking Protests from Taipei

The move, announced without consultation with Taiwan, is expected to 'squeeze' the island's airspace and reduce its air force's response time.

China's Civil Aviation Administration announced changes to civil aviation routes near the Taiwan Strait median line, expected to 'squeeze' the airspace controlled by Taipei.
The changes, which will take effect on Thursday, were announced without consultation with Taiwan, leading to protests from Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration.
The move is expected to cut the depth of air defense for Taiwan and reduce the response time available to the island's air force in case of a cross-strait attack.
Analysts suggest that the move is a response to the recent election of Vice-President William Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party as Taiwan's next leader, seen by Beijing as an 'obstinate separatist'.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned the move as a 'blatant neglect of aviation safety and a show of disrespect for Taiwan', suggesting it could alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.